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Fans visiting the home of Harlequins at the Stoop may have noticed some striking changes around the ground since the start of last season. Standing proud alongside the likes of Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Marcus Smith on the advertising hoardings are also players from Harlequins Ladies, such as England’s Abbie Scott and Scotland’s Deborah McCormack.

It is a larger than life version of 2014 World Cup winner and club captain Rachael Burford that greets those entering the stadium gift shop. The image is as striking as her story, one that has roots in the most unlikely twin settings – Poland and Medway Rugby Club. Her parents, Michael and Renata, met when her father’s construction work took him...